Negotiating the “per head” price?

[Bjedifish]

I am going to my first venue on Saturday at 3pm. We are really excited, but I am completely clueless as to what questions to ask. I was giving a price range in “per head” language, and I was told that it was based on wedding date, time, and menu choices. My question is, is it ok to “negotiate” on a lower price per person? I’m not sure its makes a difference, but this is a NYC wedding venue at south street seaport. Thanks for any insight!!

 

[cindygenit]

Bjedfish,

I don''t think you can. The only way to lower pp price is to alter the menu so as to incorporate in season produce and cheaper poultry and meat. But it never hurts to ask If you have a big guest list, they might consider giving you a discount or something.

Good Luck! Happy Wedding Planning

 

[Bjedifish]

Thanks!

 

[cindygenit]

May I also add, winter weddings are generally cheaper than summer/spring weddings. This is especially true in vendor prices, esp DJs and bands. I don''t think the venue prices change here in Aus, but its probably different in the US. My advice is to shop around and never compromise your taste (but still stick to your budget!)

 

[princessplease]

I don't think there is much that can be done in NYC from what I understand.

If I were you, I'd make another post in here asking CakeNY for some advice. She is a wedding planner in NYC, and she recently gave Bia some advice on pricing in NYC. She is so knowledgeable on weddings in that area!

 

[Bia]

You absolutely can negotiate price (with certain venues). A lot of places are feeling a bit of a pinch right now, so if you can ''guarantee'' a certain number of guests, and work with them in terms of a date/time of year, most likely they will work with you in return.

I am going to meet with a few places next week (also NYC) and from what I can tell, they are willing to negotiate as long as I sign same day. We''ll see...

Good luck!

 

[marlie]

i''m also a nyc bride and booked my venue a couple of weeks ago. i''m having a summer wedding (july 31, 2010) and i was able to negotiate the pp price a decent amount. all of the places we went were willing to negotiate except one (which already had discounted prices b/c of the recession). you have nothing to lose so you may as well try. i am terrible at that kind of stuff so i had my FMIL do all of the negotiations b/c she''s great at it!

btw, i saw the venue you are talking about (i think...bridgewaters?) and i didn''t get that far with them but i did get the impression that they definitely would have.

good luck!!!

 

[Dannielle]

I didn''t even think of trying to negotiate a lower price per head.. although at our venue I think if we did they would of been mortified.. its very exclusive hence why we had to book almost 2 years in advance

If you think that they might actually budge on the price though I say go for it.. every dollar counts

 

[CaliCushion]

Yes, of course it is possible to negotiate prices, especially with the economy the way it is right now. the more flexibility with available dates that your venue has, the more they should be willing to negotiate.

Also, if they are not willing to negotiate your price per person, why don''t you see if they will add any extras in for free or at a discounted price? Examples woyuld be an upgraded bar package or lowering your ceremony fee. It may also be helpful to do some research on comparable venues to see if they have lowered prices at all.

I booked my venue over a year before my wedding. They lowered some prices between the time I booked and the time of my wedding, and they were even willing to lower my food and beverage minimum after I had signed the contract!

 

[Gypsy]

ANY where, no matter how exclusive should be used to people asking them about "package" flexibility. I called EVERY 5 star venue in our area and the places were all just OFF THE WALL with their responses, completley unpredicatable. Some RAISED prices for holiday dates, others bargain basement priced them-- no rhyme or reason. I had places that you'd think they would be dying for business be completely inflexible, then places that book 2 years out willing to negotiate. In my experience, from the friends I made in school which span members of America's first families (no bragging just a fact) to those whose families have GOBS of money, but it's new money... the smart ones off ALL "classes" and background, negotiate. It's not "common" or "low class"... just SMART.

Maybe it's not the price they are open to negotiating. But there is a LOT you can ask for.

Simple comments like... "that sounds a little higher than we were expecting considering what your package includes in comparison to some other's we've looked at" may get you a comment like.. "what were you expecting" and you can then just say... "oh, well... 5 hours of open bar and more appetizers, and certainly no cake cutting fee" or... "top shelf alcohol, and at least one nice beef option, and no cake cutting fee" or... "custom linens included and nicer chairs, and valet parking for our guests included"... or whatever. There is a lot more to negotiating with venues than just price. If you ask for their best pricing, or better pricing and they aren't open to that, nudge them to negotiate for other things. You may not lower the COST, but you can raise the VALUE. KWIM?

The four seasons in SF was SO wonderful about negotiating for a friend of mine, yet the HOLIDAY INN (I kid you not) would not budge for her (one guess where she booked). For me, the Clairmont wouldn't even BLINK, but the Hotel Nicco did (but I didn't want a hotel ultimately).

 

[Dannielle]

Date: 7/10/2009 12:08:05 AM
Author: Dannielle
I didn't even think of trying to negotiate a lower price per head.. although at our venue I think if we did they would of been mortified.. its very exclusive hence why we had to book almost 2 years in advance

If you think that they might actually budge on the price though I say go for it.. every dollar counts

After reading Gypsy's post and re-reading my own I realise how my post above came across- I apologise for sounding like I have my head very, very far up my own behind (I swear I don't)

 

[sba771]

I had my engagement party at a venue in the south street seaport. They negotiated and threw in some additional things for the price per capita. Just be firm. They wanted to charge us for soda (we were having an open bar) and I just firmly said, no we are not going to pay for soda and things like that.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I think it depends on the venue. Mine was pretty inflexible, but it was pretty reasonable to begin with, and it''s mostly a restaurant so weddings aren''t their primary business so I don''t think they are used to negotiating. They quoted me a very low per head for food anyways so there wasn''t much room to go down anyways.

 

[Bjedifish]

Thank you all so much for your help! Yes the venue in question is Bridgewaters and the woman I am meeting with tomorrow has been very helpful so far. We shall see. This is our first trip to any venue, thank goodness my fiance is coming, he is much more practical and more of a negotiator than I am!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/10/2009 5:49:43 AM
Author: Dannielle

Date: 7/10/2009 12:08:05 AM
Author: Dannielle
I didn't even think of trying to negotiate a lower price per head.. although at our venue I think if we did they would of been mortified.. its very exclusive hence why we had to book almost 2 years in advance

If you think that they might actually budge on the price though I say go for it.. every dollar counts

After reading Gypsy's post and re-reading my own I realise how my post above came across- I apologise for sounding like I have my head very, very far up my own behind (I swear I don't)

Nice to know Dannielle, you have a really lovely ring, and I am looking forward to your wedding pictures and they would have looked very funny if your head had been... lol.

God knows I've sounded like a twit before, and will again.

It happens.